FIFA World Cup – Face of Malawi

Late DRC Goal Ends World Cup Hopes for Mbeumo and Onana

Evance Kapito — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 08:26:20 +0000

Cameroon will not take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after failing to secure qualification, following a dramatic 1-0 loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Chancel Mbemba broke the hearts of Cameroonian fans with a stoppage-time goal in the 90+1 minute, sealing their elimination from the qualifying race.

This means top stars such as André Onana and Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United will not feature at the 2026 World Cup.

With the result, DR Congo, who last appeared at a World Cup in 1974, now advance to the final playoff round where they will face Nigeria, who defeated Gabon 4-1 yesterday.

The winners of the playoff will then compete against teams from other confederations including Asia, South America, Oceania, the Caribbean, and North & Central America for the final two available spots at the World Cup.

Flames’ Foreign-Based Stars Arrive Ahead of Botswana Clash

Evance Kapito — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 06:32:19 +0000

All the foreign-based players called up to the Malawi National Football Team (Flames) have arrived in the country as preparations intensify for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The arrivals include Frank Gabadinho Mhango, Richard Mbulu, Charles Petro, Lloyd Njaliwa, Chawanangwa Kaonga, Malango Mayele and Robert Saizi. The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) confirmed their presence through updates on its official page, showing the players taking part in training at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

Head Coach Kalisto Pasuwa expressed satisfaction with the squad’s depth and talent, noting the strong competition for places as the team prepares for crucial fixtures.

Pasuwa called up 26 players 16 foreign-based and 10 local-based who officially began training last Friday. The Flames will face Namibia in Francistown, Botswana on Friday, September 5, before returning home to host Liberia on Monday, September 8.

“The intensity is good as the fitness is there because the league is on. Our training session today was perfect in terms of how we approached it tactically,” said Pasuwa.

The coach also praised the contribution of new additions to the squad, highlighting their impact on both competitiveness and team morale.

Flames Suffer 2-0 Defeat to Tunisia in World Cup Qualifier

Evance Kapito — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 06:41:25 +0000

Malawi’s national football team, the Flames, suffered a 2-0 defeat against Tunisia in a FIFA World Cup qualifier played on Monday night at the Olympique Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Tunisia.

Seifeddine Jaziri broke the deadlock in the 87th minute before Elias Achouri sealed the victory with a penalty in the 90+2 minute.

Malawi had a chance to pull one back in added time through a penalty, but Richard Mbulu failed to convert, leaving the final score at 2-0 in favor of the Carthage Eagles.

The Flames ended the match with ten men after Lloyd Aaron received a red card following two yellow cards in the 64th minute.

Goalkeeper William Thole made several crucial saves to keep Malawi in the game, showcasing his shot-stopping abilities.

Following this result, Malawi sits in fifth place in Group H with six points, while Tunisia leads the standings with 16 points from the same number of matches.

FIFA Appoints 3 Malawian Referees for 2026 World Cup Qualifier

Evance Kapito — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 09:30:57 +0000

FIFA has selected three Malawian referees to officiate the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the Central African Republic and Mali.

According to FIFA’s communication, Malawi’s Godfrey Phillip Nkahkananga will serve as the center referee, with Pondamali Tembo and Clemence Kanduku as assistant referees. The match is scheduled to take place on March 24, 2025, in Casablanca, Morocco.

In a related appointment, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has chosen Martha Nyekanyeka as a referee assessor for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier between DR Congo and Benin. The match will be held at the Complexe Omnisport’s Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa on March 16, 2025.

Reacting to the news, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Referees Manager Duncan Lengani said these appointments will serve as an inspiration to many referees.“The appointments not only boost the country’s football reputation but also provide valuable experience and exposure for our referees,” he said.

“This development can positively impact the overall quality of football in Malawi and inspire future generations of referees and players as we transform the game.”

These appointments highlight the growing recognition of Malawian referees on the international stage.

Thabitha Chawinga Is A Role Model To Aspiring Female Football Players Across The Globe – Gianni Ifantino

Evance Kapito — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 10:42:11 +0000

President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Ifantino has praised the relevant of Malawi’s Female football player Tabitha Chawinga to aspiring football player across the globe.

Ifantino made his sentiment on his official instragram account after giving Chawinga a new Football Unites shirt written her name.

The president posted a picture of him handling over a prize to Chawinga with a caption written as below.

“I was very pleased to interact with Tabitha Chawinga – one of the best footballers playing the women’s game and certainly a role model to children in Malawi as well as the whole of Africa and around the world.

Her beautiful success story starting from Malawi to global recognition through football is inspiring. Through resilience, hard work, talent, and skill, she has proved that our beautiful game provides an equal platform for everyone to excel. We are here to support her and what she represents for women across the globe.

@tabitha.chawinga, I look forward to meeting you again and the first FIFA Women’s Club World Cup 2026 will be a fantastic occasion for the world to witness more journeys like yours”.

Zimbabwean Prophet Reveals How He “Helped” Messi Win The World Cup And Why Mbappe Didn’t Win

Flora Mitumba — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 09:36:49 +0000

Controversial Zimbabwean self-proclaimed Prophet Talent Madungwe has opened up on how he helped Lionel Messi win the World Cup.

Following Argentina’s victory at the recently held FIFA 2022 World Cup, Prophet Madungwe claimed that he is the one who assisted Lionel Messi in winning the much-coveted trophy.

Speaking on Saint TV, following Argentina’s victory win at the recently held World Cup in Qatar, Prophet Madungwe said that on Sunday at 4:30, God told him that he had to intervene because things were not looking okay and that the will of God was jeopardy.

Zimbabwean Prophet Madungwe x Lionel Messi (Image Credit: Al jazzera/ Twitter @talentmadungwe)

He said that he intervened just like God asked him to. The prophet likened the situation to how Michael helped Daniel in the Bible.

“So l intervened to assist Lionel Messi because soccer is a gift from God but he is the one who decides the win and everything. So l helped him just like how l assisted Boris Johnson to win the elections and when he was sick.”

He claims to have assisted Lionel Messi from when the game began till he won the match. The self-styled man of God said that it wasn’t an easy job assisting Messi as France proved to be a greater opponent.

Prophet Madungwe went on to explain why God made Messi win instead of Kylian Mbappe. He said God wanted to demonstrate and teach people about patience through Lionel Messi’s life as he won the World Cup trophy when he is now old, and his football career is about to come to an end.

The prophet also added that Lionel Messi was granted automatic advanced entry whilst Kylian Mbappe was denied because he lacked patience

“God wanted to teach people patience through Messi’s life. He only got the award when he was now old… He was awarded in heaven and on earth. He got automatic advanced entry and Kylian Mbappe was denied because he lacked patience

FIFA clears Zambia female footballer Barbra Banda to play at Women’s world cup

Flora Mitumba — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 17:33:50 +0000

Zambia forward Barbra Banda is eligible to play at next year’s Women’s World Cup, says a leading Fifa women’s football official.

The 22-year-old was excluded from this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations by the Zambia FA (Faz) after the latter body said she failed a gender eligibility test.

“We are looking forward to welcoming her to Australia and New Zealand next year to participate,” Sarai Bareman, Fifa’s chief women’s football officer, told BBC Sport Africa.

Faz has previously said it excluded its best player from the finals given its understanding of a medical form the Confederation of African Football (Caf) adopted from Fifa.

Banda back ‘with a bang’ for Zambia after eligibility row

Banda out of Wafcon over ‘gender eligibility’ issues

However, these rules – which prompted Faz, rather than Caf, to exclude Banda from the Wafcon – are now being revised.

“Fifa is currently reviewing our gender eligibility regulations – we’re in a consultation process right now,” Bareman explained.

“My team is obviously a big part of that consultation process and in the coming months, you’ll see a new set of regulations come out of Fifa as many sports are also looking at their own regulations.”

Banda shot to global prominence at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo when she became the first female player to score consecutive hat-tricks in the Games’ long history.

After sitting out Wafcon, she returned to the national team in September and helped Zambia win a regional southern African title for the first time, emerging as both the top scorer and best player of the tournament.

Football’s world governing body estimates the new guidelines for gender eligibility will be released before the 2023 Women’s World Cup but it remains non-committal on whether gender testing will be a mainstay of the women’s game going forward.

“It’s a very complex topic and there are many, many people who have their views on it,” Bareman explained.

“As Fifa, our role is to take all those views into consideration, because we really have to understand every view – the research, evidence, individual situations, the human rights side of things – and we have to factor all of that in before we can take any decisions.

“It’s a big decision, and it’s going to have a big impact for many people.”

During July’s Wafcon in Morocco, Faz said three other potential squad members were also affected by gender eligibility criteria and were thus not chosen to compete at the tournament.

Source; BBC

Fifa lifts Kenya’s ban from global football after conditions met

Flora Mitumba — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 18:39:08 +0000

Kenya’s ban from global football has been lifted by world governing body Fifa.

The suspension was imposed in February after Kenya’s sports ministry disbanded the country’s football federation (FKF) over alleged misappropriation of funds and appointed a caretaker committee in November 2021.

The sanction meant the East Africans were barred from qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, Ababu Namwamba, the cabinet secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, has helped resolve the issues created when predecessor Amina Mohamed installed a 27-person caretaker committee to run the FKF 12 months ago.

FKF vice-president Doris Petra and general secretary Barry Otieno have been reinstated to their positions and control of FKF offices handed back to its board – as demanded by Fifa.

A letter to Otieno from Fifa secretary general Fatma Samoura said the ban had been discussed by the bureau of the Fifa Council last Friday and confirmed the suspension had been lifted.

A joint mission from Fifa and the Confederation of African Football (Caf) will visit Nairobi to “define the next steps” for the FKF and meet with Namwamba, with details to be arranged in due course.

Samoura’s letter added the suspension is lifted “without prejudice to the ongoing investigations and court proceedings at national level”.

FKF president Nick Mwendwa remains suspended from his post because of a long-running court case against him, regarding fraud charges which he denies.

Alcohol banned at World Cup

Robert Ngwira — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 13:08:54 +0000

Alcohol will not be sold at the World Cup’s eight stadiums in Qatar after Fifa changed its policy two days before the start of the tournament.

Alcohol was set to be served “in select areas within stadiums”, despite its sale being strictly controlled in the Muslim country.

Those in corporate areas of stadiums at the tournament will still be able to purchase alcohol.

The World Cup starts on Sunday when Qatar play Ecuador.

Top 5 Countries in Fifa World Cup Championship

Robert Ngwira — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 14:36:13 +0000

Qatar will host the 22nd edition of the World Cup competition. Typically, the World Cup occurs in the summer. Nevertheless, this event will happen in November in light of the Asian country’s weather. Football’s World Cup is the sport’s most significant competition, and each player aspires to help their nation win it.

Throughout history, a few nations have dominated this tournament. However, many countries endeavor to excel following taxing qualification stages. With FIFA World Cup 2022 just a few months away, let’s see the top nations as ranked by the FIFA body.

Brazil

Brazil has won the FIFA World Cup more times than any other country. They have five world cup trophies, making them the most successful team in the era of the men’s event. Players like Pele, who bagged a hat trick in the 1958 world cup final to give Brasil its first-ever World cup, are some of the most famous football icons.

Brazil also won the World Cup in (1958 in Sweden, 1962 in Chile, 1970 in Mexico, 1994 in the USA, and 2002 in South Korea/Japan. Brazil will be looking to halt this trend in Qatar, as it has been 20 years since a South American country won the World Cup. They are considered one of the favorite contenders to win the world cup 2022 in Qatar later this year.

2. Germany

Germany is the second country to win a World Cup four consecutive times. The Die Mannschaft has been traditionally dominating in the competition. Three of the four World Cups were won by West Germany, who also won the tournament in 2014 in Brazil as a united nation.

The most recent victory was particularly stunning since, on the way to the trophy, the Germans destroyed the Brazilian hosts by a score of 7-1. Mario Gotze’s historic 113th-minute goal against Argentina in the championship game is legendary. Die Mannschaft is also one of the teams considered to have a better chance of winning the Qatar World Cup.

3. Italy

The FIFA World Cup has ranked the Italian national football team, The Blues, in the third position. The Blues have won the World Cup four times. The Italians achieved the feat and successfully defended their crown as world champions.

It took Italy 44 years to earn their third World Cup championship. They lifted the trophy in 1982, with Paolo Rossi, Alessandro Altobelli, and Marco Tardelli scoring the net. In 2006, Italy’s national team beat the French to lift the trophy. Zinedine Zidane was sent off after headbutting the Italian player, Marco Materazzi.

The 2006 World Cup final was one of the most intriguing, which saw the two teams tie until penalties.

4. Argentina

Argentina has lifted two World Cup trophies, making it one of the best teams in the world. Argentina’s 1978 squad became the country’s first squad to bring the cup home. They were hosting and beating the Netherlands 3-1 in the finals.

Their subsequent victory was attained in 1986. Argentina lifted the World Cup in Mexico after beating Germany in the finals.

Argentina has produced two powerhouse names in the world of football. Many people hold that Diego Maradona is one of the best footballers, if not the best, ever to grace the football field. He played a crucial role in Argentina’s 1986 world cup victory.

Today, another Argentina sensation, Leonel Messi, is considered the greatest football player the world has ever seen.

5. France

They played Croatia in the finals, beating their opponents four to two.

France won its first World Cup victory in 1998. The critical event was then also being held throughout the nation. The final World Cup of the 20th century was won by Les Bleus, who defeated Brazil, the reigning champions, in the championship game.

Ranking the Top All-Time Star of Each World Cup Country

The World Cup is the ideal stage for superstars to establish their reputations and cement their places in a country’s indelible football history.

The most significant people from each of the 32 competing countries are listed here, rated by their significance, accomplishments, talent, and international fame.

Argentina: Diego Maradona
Brazil: Pele
Netherlands: Johan Cruyff
Portugal: Eusebio
Germany: Franz Beckenbauer
Spain: Xavi
France: Michel Platini
Italy: Paolo Maldini
England: Bobby Charlton
Russia: Lev Yashin

Conclusion

Knowing the best contenders is essential with the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup finals just around the corner. This may help you place bets with the confidence that you stand a better chance of winning. Parimatch offers good betting odds and enables its users to live stream all games from the comfort of their homes.

‘CAF Zambian Doctor Joseph Kabungo Died Of Cardiac Arrest, Not Stampede’

Chisomo Kambale — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 15:24:05 +0000

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports that a Confederation of African Football (CAF) doping control officer who passed away on Tuesday night was beaten by fans until he lost his consciousness.

The Zambian doctor, Joseph Kabungo, was working as a medical officer at the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff between Nigeria and Ghana when he died shortly after the game at the MKO Abiola Stadium.

NFF said Kabungo died of a cardiac arrest. In a statement, NFF said the deceased was found near the dressing room of the Ghanaian team. General Secretary Mohamed Sanusi was quoted as saying:

We are terribly shocked at this sad development. The NFF commiserates with world football body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football, the Football Association of Zambia and the family of Dr Kabungo on his sudden passing. His death pains us very much and we are in a state of deep shock.

However, it is important to state the facts as they are. According to the information from our own medical officer, Dr Onimisi Ozi Salami who was appointed by FIFA as medical officer for the game, Dr Kabungo was found gasping for breath near the dressing room of the Ghanaian team.

I was notified and ordered that he should be rushed to the hospital. He didn’t make it. He died just as they got to the hospital.

I was heading to the dressing room of the Nigerian team when the General Coordinator, Kabore Hubert Bosilong from South Africa called my attention. Dr Kabungo suddenly started gasping for breath.

The FIFA Security Officer for the match, Mr Dixon Adol Okello from Uganda also witnessed the incident.

We tried to resuscitate him there and then, but when this did not appear to be working, we put him in an ambulance and rushed him to Cedar Crest Hospital in Apo, where he gave up the ghost.

It is a very sad incident and one is shocked that some persons have been putting a terrible slant to the whole thing by saying he was beaten up by fans. That is a lie. He died as a result of sudden cardiac arrest.

Don’t Sleep with Foreigners at the World Cup – Russian Politician Warns Women

FACE OF MALAWI — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 10:00:12 +0000

As millions of people have diverged to Russia for world cup, one politician has warned Russian women not to indulge themselves in sexual intercourse with foreigners during this period of world cup.

Tamara-Pletnyova

The female politician, Tamara Pletnyova said in an interview with a Russian radio station that women should abstain from sex with foreigners visiting the country for the tournament, citing concerns about a possible spike in single-parent families.

The politician who is also the Family, Women and Children Affairs Committee chairwoman warned that “nothing good will come out of . . . the inappropriate behavior of Russian women.”

According to Reuters, the politician was responding to a question about the “Children of the Olympics,” a term used in Russia to describe mixed-race children conceived after the 1980 Moscow Summer Games.

“There will be girls who meet men, and then they will give birth. Maybe they will get married, maybe they won’t. These children will later suffer and have suffered in the Soviet era,” Pletnyova said.

Pletnyova’s concerns come one month after the Argentine Football Association came under fire for distributing a booklet to World Cup-bound sports reporters, which included a chapter entitled “How to stand a chance with a Russian girl.”

Meanwhile, companies involved in this year’s World Cup including FIFA and Russian Railways are having employees take classes to learn how to smile and make tourists feel more welcome.

FIFA BANS SEPP BLATTER, PLATINI FOR 8 YEARS

Robert Ngwira — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 10:51:42 +0000

Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Uefa boss Michel Platini have been suspended for eight years from all football-related activities following an ethics investigation.

They were found guilty of breaches surrounding a £1.3m ($2m) “disloyal payment” made to Platini in 2011.

The Fifa ethics committee found Blatter and Platini had demonstrated an “abusive execution” of their positions.

Both men deny wrongdoing. The bans come into force immediately.

Fifa boss since 1998, Blatter, 79, had already announced he was quitting with a presidential election in February.

Platini, 60, was tipped as a future leader of football’s world governing body and had hoped to succeed Blatter.

A three-time European Footballer of the Year and former captain of France, he had been in charge of Uefa – European football’s governing body – since 2007.

GERMANY TRASH ARGENTINA TO CLAIM FOURTH TIME WORLD CUP TITLE

Robert Ngwira — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 13:14:53 +0000

Germany were crowned world champions for the fourth time as Mario Gotze’s extra-time winner beat Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final.

Gotze demonstrated perfect technique and commendable calm to chest down Andre Schurrle’s pass and sweep in a left-foot finish with the prospect of a penalty shootout only seven minutes away.

Argentina, with skipper looking subdued despite flashes of his talent, could not respond and Germany claimed their first World Cup since they beat the same opponents in Rome 24 years ago.

The success means Joachim Low’s side have become the first European team to win the trophy in South America.

Gonzalo Higuain wasted Argentina’s best chance in the first half while Germany defender Benedikt Howedes hit the post with a header seconds before half-time.

BLAZIL WORLD CUP DEFEAT TO GERMANY FORCES A GIRL TO COMMIT SUICIDE

Robert Ngwira — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 14:53:28 +0000

A teenager in Nepal committed suicide after her favorite team Brazil were thrashed by Germany in the World Cup.

Police said the 10th grade student was depressed and hanged herself yesterday morning in Bharaul village 250 miles east of the capital Kathmandu.

She was identified as Pragya Thapa, 15.

Her mother found her hanging from the ceiling in her room. Thapa was living with her mother and grandparents while her father was abroad working.

It was reported she was studying in her room after discussing the game with friends before the tragedy happened.

LOUIS VAN GAAL REVEALS WHY HE CHANGED STRATEGY IN MATCH AGAINST ARGENTINA

FACE OF MALAWI — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 10:39:12 +0000

Louis van Gaal revealed that he took the surprise decision to make Aston Villa centre-back Ron Vlaar his first penalty taker only after asking two other unnamed Dutch players.
Van Gaal also said he would have again brought on reserve goalkeeper Tim Krul if he had not already used his other substitutes.
Vlaar missed the first penalty to immediately hand Argentina the initiative in the shoot-out. After being widely praised for his tactics in the shoot-out win against Costa Rica when he brought on Krul, Van Gaal said that penalties were simply a matter of luck.
“We took those penalties in an incredible way against Costa Rica,” said Van Gaal. “It should give you confidence. But the issue is you score the first one and I asked two players to take the first kick before ending up with Vlaar. I thought he was the best player on the pitch so should have a lot of confidence. It just goes to show that it’s not easy scoring in a penalty shoot-out.”
Asked why he had already taken off three outfield players – Robin van Persie, Nigel de Jong and Bruno Martins Indi – before the shoot-out, Van Gaal said: “I substituted Indi because he already had a yellow card and had to mark Enzo Pérez and was often too late. I thought he wasn’t executing properly. De Jong I didn’t want to risk. He might have been injured himself again. I substituted Van Persie because he was exhausted.”

Nigeria, Algeria Thrown Out of World Cup

Face of Malawi — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:12:42 +0000

Africa suffered another nightmare as Nigeria crashed out of the World Cup and were emulated by Algeria ending hopes of the continent’s possible semi-final spot had both teams made the quarterfinal.

Nigeria being the only one of two African countries in the round of 16 had held until the 79th minute when Juventus striker Paul Pogba benefitted from an uncharacteristic Vincent Enyeama error and headed Les Bleus ahead.

Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama went from hero to zero as his error helped France to a 2-0 World Cup last-16 triumph.

Enyeama, who plies his trade with Lille in the French top flight, made sensational saves from Karim Benzema and Paul Pogba, but the latter capitalised when the keeper fluffed at a 79th-minute corner to book a quarter-final place.

Joseph Yobo who was playing his 100th game for Nigeria conceded an own goal in stoppage time further compounding Nigeria’s misery.

The African nation entered the match under the cloud of a dispute over bonus payments with the Nigeria Football Federation, but Stephen Keshi’s men played a full part in an entertaining goalless first half.

Emmanuel Emenike thought he put Nigeria ahead, only to fall foul of a marginal offside call, while a stunning stop by Enyeama somehow prevented Pogba from volleying France in front.

The last five times that France have taken part in the knockout stages of the World Cup, they have reached the semi-finals or better. Algeria waited deep into extra time to succumb to a 2-1 defeat by Germany.

The North Africans put up a formidable show but were hounded out by the Germans.

MEXICO CAN’T BLAME ROBBEN OR REFEREE FOR WORLD CUP EXIT

FACE OF MALAWI — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 09:40:55 +0000

This time, Mexico’s exit left a particularly bitter taste, with Arjen Robben winning a debatable penalty in second-half injury time. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar stepped up to seal a victory, when for most the game El Tri had been the better side.

Miguel Herrera said afterwards that it was “the man with the whistle” who sent Mexico home.

“If a referee invents a penalty, you’re out of the World Cup,” he said. “I hope they have a look at what happened and that this gentleman goes home just like we are.”

The Mexico coach can complain all he wants, but the reality of the modern game is that Rafa Marquez made a mistake. He should be experienced and cool enough not to stick a leg out in that situation. That may sound harsh, but how many fans of the Netherlands will care about Robben’s exaggerated fall right now? And if Javier Hernandez had done the same at the other end, would El Tri still complain about the ref?

The truth is Robben tricked the referee and won the game for his side. He’d also been a thorn in the side of El Tri all afternoon with his direct running and should’ve been awarded a penalty in the first half.

Mexico and Herrera have been a revelation this World Cup and deserve all the praise that has been poured on them, but it was El Tri’s mistakes late on, not Robben’s theatrics, that invited defeat.

“We can’t manage referees, they are humans,” Hernandez said afterward. “Unfortunately sometimes some mistakes hurt a lot of people, a country.”

Herrera is known for his attack-minded strategies, but brought off Giovani Dos Santos for Javier Aquino in the 61st minute, instead of introducing a striker alongside Oribe Peralta to stretch the Dutch defense and make them think twice about piling bodies forward.

Aquino’s introduction allowed the Dutch to attack as Mexico sat deeper and deeper, inviting pressure on them. Combined with El Tri’s tired legs, the prospect of a Dutch equalizer seemed increasingly likely as the second half wore on.

And when there was a simple lack of concentration in marking in the 88th minute, which left Wesley Sneijder free on the edge of the area, the Netherlands took full advantage.

But the negatives of the final 10 minutes shouldn’t outweigh what was another fine performance from Mexico. El Tri has come a long way this World Cup. Mexico has erased the memories of the shambolic qualifying and restored pride in a national team that was seemingly on a meteoric rise until the annus horribilis of 2013.

Giovani dos Santos struck from outside the box to hand El Tri a deserved lead three minutes after halftime. There was no difference in quality and Mexico’s players can leave the World Cup with pride.

“We depart sad because this is not what we wanted, but with our heads high because we left it all on the field,” Peralta said.

A year ago the team was lacking direction and style. Now Mexico makes sense. Although captain Marquez’s international career is over and Francisco “Maza” Rodriguez and Peralta are the wrong side of 30, the rest of Herrera’s starting XI from the group stage will all be around in four years, with more experience and more nous in closing out games when ahead.

Underneath is the generation of players that won the Under-17 World Cup in 2011 that could yet come good in time for Russia 2018. And youth systems in the Liga MX continue to improve and produce talent.

The mood and outlook in Mexico might be grim after celebrations were harshly quashed, but Herrera’s side has performed with dignity, a big heart and a work ethic that Mexico fans demand and respect. Not that it makes the exit any easier to swallow for EL Tri’s faithful followers.

“It’s a moment of frustration, of sadness, knowing we had it so close and we let it go doesn’t leave us any good sensation,” Andres Guardado said. “At least for me it’s not worth to say ‘we were so close’ when in the end we finished in the same place, and that’s very sad because I don’t think we had such big excitement around the team in previous World Cups.”